FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist baseball team earned a 5-1 victory against DeSales in the second day of the Armstrong/Diamond Invitational at Armstrong-Shelley Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
With the result, the Monarchs move to 4-1 on the season, as the Bulldogs start the season 1-1
 
Desales scored first after back-to-back base hits had runners in the corners before the runner from third scored on a fielding error, 1-0.
 
The Monarchs tied the score in the bottom of the third after Clay Richardson hit a one-out triple down the right field line. Alex Kachler followed with a single up the middle to score Richardson, 1-1. The tie held until the home half of the seventh frame. Parker Clayton reached on an error for the Green and Gold and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Elliot Manley. Clayton scored on the following at-bat as he advanced to third on a fly out and crossed home plate after a throwing error, 2-1.
 
In the eighth inning, the Monarchs plated three runs beginning with Tucker Criswell who reached on an error and found his way to third base after a bunt single. Criswell then scored on another bunt, 3-1, before Ethan Carmack came around to score on a wild pitch, 4-1. The final run of the game came across as Matthias Carter registered a sacrifice fly to score Jacob Austin, who bunted for a base hit earlier in the inning.
 
Josh Robledo (ND) started on the hill for MU and pitched 5.1 innings yielding just one run (unearned) on four hits with two strikeouts. Tyler Carmen (1-0) registered the win after throwing 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. Will Walker also made an appearance closing out the final 1.1 innings and striking out three to record his second save of the season.
 
For the Bulldogs, Ian Kacergis (0-1) was strapped with the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on seven hits in 6.1 innings of work.
 
Richardson was 3 for 5 on the day and was a home run shy of the cycle. He also stole a base and scored once. Austin finished 3 for 4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Kachler also collected two hits.
 
Desales was held to four hits in the game, including two by Sean Hanczaryk.
 
Methodist closes the Armstrong/Diamond Invitational tomorrow, Feb. 18, with a 2pm contest against Christopher Newport.